Setting : the farmyard of Rosa Mamai's farm, the end of May, late 1800's, Italy

Range : A3 to G4. Tessitura : D#/Eb3 to D4

Synopsis : Baldassarre tells a story to L'Innocente, the mentally impaired son of Rosa Mamai. He describes a little goat that is attacked during the night by a wolf. Throughout the entire night, the goat defends itself but finally as the morning breaks, it succumbs to its injuries.

Setting : the farmyard of Rosa Mamai's farm, the end of May, late 1800's, Italy

Range : B4 to F#/Gb5. Tessitura : E4 to E5

Synopsis : Vivetta and Rosa Mamai are talking about Federico and the girl from Arles that captured his heart. Upset because she loves Federico, Vivetta asks Rosa Mamai how Federico and the girl met. She responds, saying that he met her on a feast day and they fell in love at once. Now he no longer pays any attention to his mother.

Setting : on the banks of Vacares pond in the region of Camargue, the end of May, late 1800's, Italy

Range : D#/Eb3 to F#/Gb4. Tessitura : E3 to D4

Synopsis : Federico has run away from home after finding out that his beloved girl from Arles has betrayed him with the stable boy. The whole farm is out looking for him and eventually Baldassarre and L'Innocente find him. Baldassarre tries to convince him to come back to the farm and forget about the girl by working with him on the pastures in the high hills.

Setting : on the banks of Vacares pond in the region of Camargue, the end of May, late 1800's, Italy

Range : E3 to A5. Tessitura : G3 to G4

Synopsis : Federico has run away from home after finding out that his beloved girl from Arles has betrayed him with the stable boy. He is found by Baldassarre and L'Innocente but the former leaves to tend the flocks and the latter falls asleep. As L'Innocente falls asleep, he mentions a line from astory told earlier about a goat. This sets off Federico and he despairs over his lost love.

Setting : the eve of Federico's and Vivetta's wedding on Rosa Mamai's farm, the end of May, late 1800's, Italy

Range : D4 to G#/Ab5. Tessitura : F#/Gb4 to F#/Gb5

Synopsis : After losing his love to the stable hand, Federico consents to marry Vivetta. However, the passion for the girl from Arles still burns inside him and he attacks the stable hand with a sledgehammer. The two are separated but Rosa Mamai decides to offer a prayer to God that she can remain strong throughout the trials that her son has put upon her.